Brian McCormack Cup: Darragh Murrin bags brace to seal St Catherine's win

Brian Mc Cormick Cup 
 
 
St. Catherine’s 2-0 Ballybofey United 
 
If St. Catherine’s thought this would be a stroll in the park they were badly mistaken as a dogged Ballybofey team came through Barnesmore Gap with a game plan.  
 
For the neutral this was by no means the game of the season, as the play seemed to be predominantly around the middle of the park for long periods with both keepers having little to do as far as saves were concerned.  
 
Alex McGinley broke the mold on 18 minutes with a threaded, inch-perfect pass through to Ryan Cunningham from midfield and he had only the keeper to beat but the away keeper spread himself bravely to deny the opening goal.   
 
Barry Mc Gee finally tested the home keeper with a super strike from 25 yards which Mullin had to stretch low to his right and parry away for a Ballybofey corner. 
 
It fell St. Catherine’s way just before half-time when a corner was never dealt with by Ballybofey. The ball fell to Darragh Murrin, who slotted calmly into the net from close range and a priceless lead at the break.  
 
The second half was a mirror image of the first with the best two players on the pitch being the opposing center-halves, Odhran McGuinness for the Saints and Bobby Hennigan for the visitors.  
 
The saints grabbed the winner on 91 minutes when Murrin latched onto a flicked-on header from Kennedy and fired sweetly to the roof of the net and secured another day out in the Brian Mc Cormick Cup for the home side. 
 
Letterbarrow Celtic 0-6 Donegal Town 
 
Donegal Town were too strong for Letterbarrow in the opening round of the Cup when their local rivals welcomed them to Tymeen. 
 
Donegal started strong and took an early lead thanks to a well-worked goal. They soon doubled their lead before going into the break at half-time three goals up.   
 
They continued their dominance in the second half and while Letterbarrow were unlucky not to score, Donegal were too strong and scored another three goals. 
 
Drumkeen United 3-1 Curragh Athletic 
 
Drumkeen continue their Cup journey for another while after overcoming Curragh at St Patrick's Park on Sunday afternoon.  
 
The home side began well and should have taken the lead in the first 10 minutes but Freddie and then Connor Bonner both squandered chances. But around the 20-minute mark Drumkeen did get their goal.  

Jason McDaid in the middle of the park passed to Freddie on the edge of the box who then made a bit of space for himself before firing into the left-hand corner of the Curragh net.   
 
Drumkeen were still in control but it took them another 20 minutes before they added a second goal when Freddie, again, duly converted from around the edge of the box.  
 
As the half was drawing to a close Curragh nearly pulled a goal back but a combination of good keeping by Paul McCauley and his defense managed to block their efforts and clear to safety.  
 
Drumkeen really needed a third goal to kill off the Curragh challenge, but they were finding their chances hard to come by. Curragh’s Caolan Duffy pulled one back with a good finish from the edge of the box, but the home side were able to hold on for the final; 15 minutes. 
 
Dunkineely Celtic 0-6 Cappry Rovers 
 
Cappry Rovers advance to the next round following a facile win away to Dunkineely Celtic.  
 
The home team started well and were unlucky on 15 minutes when Adrian Nesbitt shot wide from distance.  
 
But Cappry composed themselves and on 22 minutes they went ahead and took control of the game. They added two more goals before half-time before adding another three in the second half as they eased to a deserved win. 
 
Kilmacrennan Celtic 4-1 Glenea United 

The Brian Mc Cormack holders are through to the next round after eventually overcoming a hard-working Glenea side at Letterkenny Community Centre on Saturday night.  
 
Kilmacrennan took the lead on 50 minutes when Conor Black fired home to the top corner after a great through ball from Jordan Gallagher.  
 
On 60 minutes Michael McLaughlin scored a cheeky back-flick from inside the box after a great cross from Black.   
 
Glenea scored on 65 minutes when Luke McCarry was put through and he calmly finished.  
 
Black scored his second on 75 minutes after a wonder ball from Ethan Doherty found Paul Bradley wide on the left and the winger zipped a great cross into the in-rushing Black who headed home for his second.  
 
On 86 minutes Doherty got Kilmacrennan’s fourth as the Lurgymen strolled to victory. 
 
Gweedore Celtic 0-4 Keadue Rovers 
 
Four second-half goals eased Keadue into the next round of the Cup with a clinical display of finishing in the last 30 minutes of this entertaining derby.  
 
With the teams evenly matched and level at half-time, the first goal was always going to be crucial and when Keadue made the breakthrough Gweedore seemed to wilt allowing their opponents to add further goals for a comfortable victory.  
 
Keadue also had the comfort of a missed penalty when Peter McGee, who could have finished with a hat-trick, blazed wide from the spot.  
 
In an evenly matched first half with few chances, both defenses and midfields cancelled each other out, meaning clear-cut chances were at a premium.  
 
Keadue eventually made the breakthrough when Barry Curran's cross to the back post was dispatched to the net by McGee.  
 
Chris Greene made it two from the penalty spot shortly afterwards and two further goals from McGee and Brendan McCafferty sent the Rosses team home satisfied. 
 
Castlefin Celtic 1-3 Lagan Harps 
 
Lagan Harps progressed to the next round after an impressive away victory over Castlefin.  
 
Goals from Anthony Gallagher, Philip Doran and Dylan Doogan saw the away team progress. Gavin Sweeney equalised for the hosts just before half-time but the second half saw the visitors come out on top. 
 
Drumoghill FC 3-1 Convoy Arsenal 
 
The reds of Drumoghill secured their passage into the next round of the Cup with this victory over neighbours Convoy Arsenal, the visitors though did push them all the way though.  
 
Trailing 2-1 for much of the second half, Convoy pushed hard for an equaliser and almost grabbed it on 82 minutes when they saw an effort crash off the crossbar, but Barry Tourish’s late strike eventually sealed the win for Drumoghill. 
 
The first half was an even affair and it was no surprise when the teams went in level. Jamie Grieve equalising for Convoy after Liam O’Donnell had hammered the home side into the lead.  
 
The second half though saw both teams go for it. Colm Gardiner, Lee Smyth and Karol Mc Ginley all had good efforts but Josh Gildea in goal for Convoy Arsenal was equal to everything that came his way.  
 
That was until the 59th minute when Drumoghill regained the lead. There seemed little danger when Karlos Rodgers gained possession outside the penalty area, but his speculative effort ricocheted off the unfortunate Brolly and looped over the advancing Gildea to leave Niall McCrossan with the simplest of opportunities to put his side into the lead.  
 
Drumoghill should have extended their lead but could find no way past Gildea before Convoy became the dominant force.  
 
Roy Duffy though was equal to much of their efforts as Drumoghill continued to look to break on the counter and it was from one such attack that Tourish’s fine finish eventually settled the contest. 
 
Lifford Celtic 4-1 Deele Harps 
 
Lifford’s strong start was too much for Deele Harps to handle as the home side secured a convincing win.  
 
The home side were dominant from the outset when Shay Lindsay nestled the ball into the back of the Harps’ net.  
 
Lifford did not take their foot off the gas. From there, Daniel Mc Nulty made no mistake in making it 2-0 with a fine finish.  
 
The second half started in the same way, with Lifford testing Deele’s defense at every opportunity. A Lifford corner was headed into the net by Daniel Lindsay that left the home side cruising towards victory and it was all settled when Daniel McNulty shot from 30 yards to the top corner.  
 
Lifford was now 4-0 up and with virtually the last kick of the game Deele scored a consolation goal to leave it 4-1 at the end. 
 
Raphoe Town 0-8 Kildrum Tigers 
 
There were no complaints as Kildrum cruised to an 8-0 victory away from home. 
 
The visitors took an early lead after five minutes when a mix-up in Raphoe’s defense let them in for an easy tap in.  
 
They doubled their lead five minutes later when Robbie Dolan saved their free kick, but the rebound fell kindly for Kildrum.   
 
Raphoe only had one chance in the first half when Oran Kelly’s cross found Kyle Martin in the box who shot narrowly wide.   
 
Kildrum dominated the first half and scored 5 more before half-time to leave it 0-7 at the break.   
 
The game was well and truly over at half-time, but Raphoe’s young guns battled well in the second half to keep Kildrum’s scoring to only one more with some fine saves from Robbie Dolan. 
 
Kerrykeel ’71 2-3 Swilly Rovers 
 
What a game these two sides served up to a packed Rabs Park with Swilly coming out narrow winners after 120 minutes of football.  
 
Patsy Friel had the ‘71 in front on 15 minutes when he broke clear after a great ball from Mark Friel who fired home from 15 yards into the bottom corner.  
 
Swilly came right back and drew level on 35 minutes when Shane McNamee broke the offside trap.  
 
Two minutes later Swilly were awarded a penalty after poor play in the home defense and Kyle black fired home.  
 
The second half saw the ‘71 have a real go and James Kerr, Patsy Friel, and Brandon McClafferty all had chances and at the other end Shaun Friel kept Swilly out with a couple of fine saves.  
 
It proved vital as Kevin Loughrey got the ‘71 level with five minutes to play after great work from McClafferty.  
 
Extra-time saw both teams evenly matched, but it was Swilly with five minutes left on the clock who got the winner when young Wlodi fired home a Tyler Durning cross. 
 
Letterkenny Rovers 3-1 Rathmullan Celtic 
 
Letterkenny Rovers came from behind to secure a hard fought 3-1 win over Rathmullan Celtic at Leckview Park.  
 
It was the visitors who started brightly and deservedly took an early lead when Mark McAteer’s close range shot inside a crowded penalty area tricked into the net.  
 
Indeed, the Premier Division outfit were unfortunate not to be further ahead. Dean Mc Carry came to Rovers’ rescue with a goal line clearance from Oisin McMenamin’s effort while a long-range strike from former Rovers’ skipper Conal Mc Gonigle was superbly tipped over the bar by Blake Forkan.   
 
Despite the blow of losing Chris Malseed through injury, the home side got themselves level on the half-hour mark with a 25-yard free kick from Joel Gorman which sailed into the net.  
 
Rovers then hit the front before half-time as Rathmullan failed to clear the ball inside their penalty area and Zach Gorman pounced to smash his effort into the roof of the net.  
 
In the second half Rathmullan missed a glorious opportunity to level the game when they were awarded a penalty only for McMenamin’s effort to be saved by Forkan.  
 
Rovers wrapped up the victory with 10 minutes to go. David O’Donnell went on a surging run down the left flank and his low inviting cross was expertly finished by Lee Mc Monagle at the near post. 
 
Whitestrand United 0-1 Milford United 
 
Whitestrand United took on local rivals Milford United in the Cup with an upset in mind against their Premier Division rivals.  
 
Milford took the lead when a free kick was awarded, and from the scramble in the goalmouth Gary Merritt scored.  
 
Whitestrand began the second half well and were pushing for the equaliser, but it never came as Milford now advance into the next round. 
 
Bonagee United 4-1 Fanad United 
 
Premier Division highflyers Fanad United made the journey on Saturday night to Dry Arch Park and left on the back end of a comprehensive defeat by Bonagee.  
 
In a game which opened at a high tempo, it was the visitors who had much of the play and they took a lead in the 15th minute when Bonagee defender Gareth Breslin brought down Edward O’Reilly on the edge of the box with referee Vincent Mc Laughlin having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.   
 
Eoin Logue successfully took the resulting penalty to make it 1-0. 
 
Bonagee were beginning to come into the game and they almost drew level in the 22nd minute when Dean Larkin had a header expertly saved by Mark McConigley to retain Fanad’s one-goal advantage.   
 
Bonagee United did draw level on the half-hour mark.  Some intricate football on the edge of the area between Mickey Funston and Larkin allowed Pauric Gilsenan to finish to the far corner beyond McConigley to make it 1-1.  
 
Fanad’s pace on the break caused the home defense problems and if it wasn’t for some wayward finishing Fanad would have regained the lead on a couple of occasions before half time.  
 
Bonagee took the lead in the 69th minute.  Fintan Hasson, who had just come on as sub, released a brilliant pass into the path of Larkin who lobbed out-rushing McConigley from the edge of the box.  
 
The crucial third goal arrived in the 81st minute when Dan O’Donnell, who was excellent throughout the contest, played a long ball to Hasson.  The young player raced onto it and finished with his left foot between the keeper and post to seal the victory for Bonagee.  
 
With five minutes of injury time played, a clearance up the pitch caused confusion between the visiting defense and another sub, Aaron Wasson, capitalised to roll the ball into the net from 10 yards to leave the final score 4-1.  
 
Voodoo Venue Cup 
 
Drumkeen United Reserves 1-5 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 
 
Drumkeen welcomed Castlefin to St Patrick's Park for their Voodoo Venue Cup game on Saturday afternoon.  
 
The scoreline would suggest that the visitors had a comfortable victory but Drumkeen were well in this game for a large part of it until they ran out of steam in the last third.   
 
Drumkeen actually took the lead when Emmet O'Boyle put them ahead from the Penalty spot. Castlefin responded well to falling behind and got back on level terms from the penalty spot after Thomas Gamble was brought down and Reece Gallagher stepped up to equalise.  
 
Gamble himself then got on the scoresheet to give the visitors the lead at the break and added a third goal for Castlefin early in the second half to give them a two-goal cushion. Drumkeen were not finished yet though and had a chance to reduce the deficit and get back in the game when they were awarded their second penalty of the game.  
 
Unfortunately for the home team O'Boyle saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Marty Owens. 
 
Castlefin had a strong bench and used it to good effect as they brought on a few experienced heads to see out the game as the young Drumkeen team tired in the latter stages.  
 
Reece Gallagher got his second goal of the game to make it four for Castlefin and Ryan O'Hagan added a fifth to complete the scoring and seal the victory for the visitors. 
 
Fanad United Reserves 2-1 Swilly Rovers Reserves 
 
Fanad United came from behind to progress to the next round of the Voodoo Venue Cup after a 2-1 victory over Swilly Rovers Reserves at Traigh-a-Loch.  
 
Swilly took the lead in the 35th minute when Ryan Mc Daid drove into the box and his cross was deflected into his own net by a Fanad defender.  
 
Fanad missed a good chance to equalise on 40 minutes when Darren Lynch fired over the bar from a Darragh O'Doherty free.  
 
The second half was only minutes old when Fanad equalised. Darragh O' Doherty was causing problems all day with his set-piece deliveries and when he hit another free into the box Darren Lynch headed home at the back post.  
 
On the hour-mark Swilly came close to retaking the lead when a Daniel McAteer cross was met by Jordan Mc Daid who couldn't keep his effort on target.  
 
Just a minute later Fanad scored what turned out to be the winner. Patrick Moffitt advanced from right back and his excellent cross was met by Martin McElhinney who powered a header home from 12 yards. 
 
Fintown Harps 2-3 Drumbar United 
 
Kealan McMonagle started the game off with a wonderful pass into striker Daniel Gildea who cut the ball back across the front of the goal setting a good tempo to the game.  
 
Shane Mc Devitt went close after 15 minutes as his strike came off the post. Left-back Mc Monagle then got turned inside out only for goalkeeper Jordan O’Donnell to make a fine stop.   
 
It was a tight game with few chances until Shane Mc Devitt for Fintown went down in the Drumbar box claiming for a penalty only to be waved on by the referee.  
 
Drumbar’s Dylan McHugh put a free kick into the box, and it landed to Dan Bennett who put Drumbar ahead.  
 
Drumbar started the second half as they ended the first adding another goal through Andrew Monaghan. Subs Jamie Mc Monagle and Joseph Shankey Smith made a difference to the Fintown attack as Shankey got on the end of a Mc Monagle cross to make it 2-1.  
 
Drumbar regained their two-goal advantage with another goal from their striker Monaghan.  
 
Super subs Jamie Mc Monagle and Joseph Shankey Smith linked up again for another goal bringing it back to 3-2. With little to no action after that the game finished 3-2 to Drumbar.   
 
Glencar Celtic 2-0 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 
 
Glencar started the game strong and were rewarded when a Tarlach O’Boyle’s cross was met by Connor McBrearty who slotted it past the keeper.  
 
Kilmacrennan were pressing high and forcing Glencar to make mistakes, but they couldn’t get an equaliser.  
 
Halfway through the second half Kilmacrennan were caught on the break when goalkeeper Decky McDermott played a ball over the top and O’Boyle went one-on-one with the keeper and kept his composure to wrap up the game. 
 
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 3-1 Dunlewey Celtic 
 
Ten-man Gweedore Celtic booked their passage to the next round of the Cup with a surprising victory having been reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute of the first half.  
 
Both teams went on the offensive with Na Ceiltigh hitting the front in the 11th minute. A surging run from full-back Oisin Diver saw his cross finished to the net by Caolan Laux.  
 
Dunlewey equalised 15 minutes later when Brendan McGeady got on the end of Darren Gallagher’s free kick. Shortly afterwards the home team lost Patrick Gillespie to a red card and at half-time it seemed like advantage to Dunlewey.  
 
However, it was the home team who upped their game and two goals from Darragh McGee and Cronan Mc Fadden saw them advance to the next round of the cup. 
 
Keadue Rovers Reserves 4-0 Glenea United Reserves 
 

Keadue Reserves advanced to Round 2 of the Voodoo Venue Cup after a strong second-half showing.  
 
Played in decent conditions, Glenea were the quicker starters, but Keadue started to create the better chances with Daire Gallagher having a shot saved followed by Oran Gallagher having a shot come off the post.  
 
Keadue finally made the breakthrough with Ethan Mc Caffrey unleashing a long-range effort to the net, to make it 1-0. The home team made a great start to the second half. Aidan Mc Hugh's overhead kick found the net leading to great celebrations.  
 
As the game went to the hour mark things got scrappier and this suited the home side who were content to knock it around.  
 
Subs followed on both sides, but it was Keadue's who made the difference and on 73 minutes good work on the right wing led to a ball into the box which was deflected, and Daire Gallagher was on hand to slot home for number three.  
 
More subs followed on both sides and as the game was running out of time Daire Gallagher played in Mikey McFadden who laid off to Liam Boyle who rifled home for 4 - 0. 
 
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 1-0 Lagan Harps Reserves 
 
In a tightly fought first half, it was end-to-end football between both sides in Kildrum.  
 
CJ Clarke for Kildrum drove into the box to put Kildrum one up who held out on a final 1-0 scoreline.  
 
Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 7-0 Milford United Reserves 
 
In a commanding display, Letterkenny Rovers dominated this Voodoo Cup clash against Milford United.  
 
From the outset, Rovers set the tone with three early chances, forewarning Milford of the challenging night ahead.  
 
Jason Doherty’s lob on four minutes and Oran Winston’s composed finish established a 2-0 lead within the opening five minutes.  
 
Throughout the match, Rovers relentlessly piled on the pressure, creating numerous opportunities. Milford, struggling to gain a foothold and had their only real chance on the 42nd minute, but Rovers’ keeper Mark Margey pulled off a good save to keep the sheet clean.  
 
The second half saw Rovers maintain their dominance with Jordan Nugent adding to the tally on 52 minutes. Jason Doherty secured a hat-trick in the 58th minute with a nice finish. Danny Hall earned and converted a penalty on 63 minutes extending the lead to 6-0.  
 
Conor O’Donnell’s spectacular long-range strike on 64 minutes topped off the goals and the match concluded with in a comprehensive 7-0 victory for Letterkenny Rovers. 
 
Ramelton Mariners 0-2 Oldtown Celtic 
 
The mariners were eliminated from the Voodoo Venue Cup by a very good Oldtown team in a well-contested game at the Flagpole Field.  
 
The visitors started brightly but the Mariners backline did well to keep them out.  
 
The home side were happy to end the first half with the scoreline at 0-0.  
 
The Mariners started the second half best, working the ball into the forwards but the Oldtown backline was equal to them.  
 
Oldtown converted a free kick midway through the second half to open the scoring and doubled their lead five minutes later.  
 
The Mariners kept working right to the final whistle but Oldtown were strong enough to progress after a very well-contested and physical game.